The Second Coming Of A 'Resurrector'
Among the e-mails we received this morning, Friar Buck asked "what the hell is a boilermaker", like in the nickname of Purdue University?
I am not sure, Friar, but I think it is a gritty guy who makes all sorts of steel copy-cat stuff. Hell, I'm more interested in knowing what a Purdue is. But, I don't intend to find out.
Here's what I know. The Purdue University Boilermakers of West Lafayette, Indiana, are coming to South Bend, at least those who wear football uniforms, Saturday afternoon. Their visit will not be pleasant.
We've already forecasted a 42-10 whipping from above and on the ground by the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
ND has a lot of talent, (minus one, Shaq Evans, who we predicted would leave, compliments of those fine Hawaiian hands and route-running of Robby Toma). The Irish also have elements long-missing, such as player-coach commaraderie, team competitive spirit, combustible offense and conditioned defense and, most of all: Brian Kelly, the resurrector who will, we believe, elevate a nearly-irrelevant football program, just as Ara Parseghian did more than 45 years ago. Put your money across the board on BK.
It is interesting to note the similarities between these two guys and the challenges they face on the field, in the stands, on campus, and among the frustrated faithful throughout the country.
For the Parseghian version, pick up the fine book, now in paperback, by Jim Dent: "Resurrection--The Miracle Season that saved Notre Dame."($14.99, a Griffin Trade Paperback). It's almost too painful to remember that ND did not have one winning season from 1958 through 1963, after decades of pre-eminent football programs. Ara changed that in one year, 1964.
The book notes that "losing was getting to everyone....most experts expected the same results" of recent regimes--Kuharich, Brennan, Devore--morale, both on the team and among the fans, was at the lowest it had ever been. Parseghian changed that feeling on the team and around campus almost overnight." Sound familiar?
Under Ara in 1964, the Irish were 9-0 and first in the polls, and in Los Angeles to play arch-rival USC.
When the Trojans were granted a series of controversial penalties, Southern Cal gained the lead late in the game, and Notre Dame had one last drive "to try and claim their miraculous championship, but the clock struck twelve for Cinderella. There would be no miracle national title---but a miracle had occurred nonetheless. The irrelevant Notre Dame team had, overnight, become a relevant national player again." Dent, who also authored the celebrated "The Junction Boys," gives ND fans 336 pages, with many photos, of the best sports book ever written. A great read.
Chapter One of the Kelly version begins September 4. We hope Jim Dent is taking notes.
--Wee (ScottB)Leprechaun
I am not sure, Friar, but I think it is a gritty guy who makes all sorts of steel copy-cat stuff. Hell, I'm more interested in knowing what a Purdue is. But, I don't intend to find out.
Here's what I know. The Purdue University Boilermakers of West Lafayette, Indiana, are coming to South Bend, at least those who wear football uniforms, Saturday afternoon. Their visit will not be pleasant.
We've already forecasted a 42-10 whipping from above and on the ground by the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
ND has a lot of talent, (minus one, Shaq Evans, who we predicted would leave, compliments of those fine Hawaiian hands and route-running of Robby Toma). The Irish also have elements long-missing, such as player-coach commaraderie, team competitive spirit, combustible offense and conditioned defense and, most of all: Brian Kelly, the resurrector who will, we believe, elevate a nearly-irrelevant football program, just as Ara Parseghian did more than 45 years ago. Put your money across the board on BK.
It is interesting to note the similarities between these two guys and the challenges they face on the field, in the stands, on campus, and among the frustrated faithful throughout the country.
For the Parseghian version, pick up the fine book, now in paperback, by Jim Dent: "Resurrection--The Miracle Season that saved Notre Dame."($14.99, a Griffin Trade Paperback). It's almost too painful to remember that ND did not have one winning season from 1958 through 1963, after decades of pre-eminent football programs. Ara changed that in one year, 1964.
The book notes that "losing was getting to everyone....most experts expected the same results" of recent regimes--Kuharich, Brennan, Devore--morale, both on the team and among the fans, was at the lowest it had ever been. Parseghian changed that feeling on the team and around campus almost overnight." Sound familiar?
Under Ara in 1964, the Irish were 9-0 and first in the polls, and in Los Angeles to play arch-rival USC.
When the Trojans were granted a series of controversial penalties, Southern Cal gained the lead late in the game, and Notre Dame had one last drive "to try and claim their miraculous championship, but the clock struck twelve for Cinderella. There would be no miracle national title---but a miracle had occurred nonetheless. The irrelevant Notre Dame team had, overnight, become a relevant national player again." Dent, who also authored the celebrated "The Junction Boys," gives ND fans 336 pages, with many photos, of the best sports book ever written. A great read.
Chapter One of the Kelly version begins September 4. We hope Jim Dent is taking notes.
--Wee (ScottB)Leprechaun
posted by OLD SHILLELAGH at 2:16 PM
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